THE INVISIBLE GAP: DESIGNING FOR USERS WHO RECONSTRUCT, NOT JUST READ

Summary from the TLDR Design newsletter

Around 1.19 billion people use English as a second language, meaning most web users navigate content in a language they learned later, which requires active “context reconstruction” — decoding, translating, and rebuilding meaning before acting. Designing for this process with plain language, consistent terms, clear structure, accessibility, and early localisation not only aids non-native speakers but also improves usability for all users, reduces cognitive load, and benefits business outcomes by lowering support needs and improving comprehension.